KAMPALA: The commander of UPDF Land Forces, Maj Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has said that fugitive novelist Kakwenza Rukirabashaija is not in Rwanda.
This comes after Kakwenza’s lawyer Eron Kiiza said the satirical novelist, who was tortured by security operatives, fled Uganda to exile through Rwanda on Wednesday, February 9, 2022.
According to Kainerugaba, he spoke to Rwanda President Paul Kagame on Wednesday evening who said that Kakwenza is not in Rwanda.
He also denied having known or heard of Kakwenza before the torture claims.
“I don’t know who this young boy is whom they say was beaten! I never heard of him until the media started talking about him. I’ve never met him or talked to him and I have no desire to do so. I have just been speaking to President @PaulKagame and he says he is not in Rwanda!” Kainerugaba tweeted.
I don’t know who this young boy is whom they say was beaten! I never heard of him until the media started talking about him. I’ve never met him or talked to him and I have no desire to do so. I have just been speaking to President @PaulKagame and he says he is not in Rwanda!!
— Muhoozi Kainerugaba (@mkainerugaba) February 9, 2022
According to his lawyer Eron Kiiza, Kakwenza has opted to travel by road through Rwanda, with his next destination believed to be Germany in Europe.
Kiiza revealed that Kakwenza left the country for fear of his life.
Kiiza added that his client has opted to take the risky road trip despite his medical condition to access better treatment after the court denied him a chance to do so.
On Monday, Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court rejected a request by Kakwenza who is facing charges of offensive Communication to have his passport returned to him.
Court presided over by the Chief Magistrate Dr. Douglas Singiza rejected the request, saying there was no evidence to show that Kakwenza had been tortured.
Kakwenza had also asked the court to allow him to travel to Germany to pick an award.
But according to Singiza, the award which Kakwenza wanted to go and pick from Germany as the reason to get back his passport can be presented to him online.